Taking the Temple with Us: Covenant Confidence in the Field

Sometimes, when I was in my first mission, I remember feeling overwhelmed. I thought that the spiritual power I needed—the confidence to talk about the gospel, the strength to endure rejection, the peace to keep going—had to come from a big, sacred building. I thought I needed to be *in* the temple to be ready for the field.

The Lord, of course, knows how we learn. But as I’ve gone through the process of missionary preparation, and especially since serving as a returned missionary, the biggest shift in my understanding has been realizing that the temple is not the destination; it's the deep wellspring. The covenants we make there, and the Spirit we feel, are meant to be portable. They are meant to be taken with us into our homes, our schools, and our neighborhoods—literally, into the field.

The Portable Power of Covenants

The temple truly is the center of strengthening our faith. It is where we are bound to Christ through sacred ordinances. But the most profound teaching I've learned is that the transformation doesn't end when we walk out the doors. We are called to carry the *spirit* of the house of the Lord with us.

This concept is huge, especially for those of you preparing for the MTC or currently in your mission. You are not just learning lessons; you are being transformed. The Lord wants us to be prepared to understand, with great clarity, how to act as we make covenants with our Heavenly Father in His name. He wants us to be prepared to experience our privileges, promises, and responsibilities right now, today.

The Mission-Prep Skill: Guarding Our Hearts

If there’s one practical skill I want to emphasize, it’s not a lesson on talking about the plan of salvation, but rather a lesson on spiritual self-control. The video touches on something critical: if we want the Spirit of the Lord to be unrestrained in our lives, we simply cannot have unkind feelings toward anyone. This is the spiritual equivalent of having a clean message.

How does this translate to the Internet missionary life? It means we have to be vigilant. Our hearts are our spiritual compass. If we allow bitterness, petty thoughts, or unkind feelings—whether directed at a friend, a family member, or even a random online comment—we are essentially dimming the power source for the Spirit. The Spirit cannot flow where there is spiritual clutter.

“Therefore, please cast not away your confidence, but rather, let your confidence wax strong.”

This is a constant, daily effort. It’s not a one-time fix; it’s a discipline. It's a reminder that being Christlike isn't just about grand gestures; it's about the quiet, daily choice to love and forgive.

Living the Covenant Daily

As we continue to weave our lives into the pattern of discipleship, we remember that we are not doing this alone. We have incredible tools to help us stay connected to the Spirit. I highly recommend using HolyPlaces for a Book Club or Bible Study Group. Connecting with others in structured, sacred study is a powerful way to keep our covenants fresh and build that covenant confidence.

If you are struggling to process a difficult question—maybe an investigator asks something that makes you feel unprepared—don't sweat it. That's what Davee is for! Remember, he's an AI Investigator, designed to walk you through those hard questions so you can answer them with grace and clarity.

Finally, as you continue your missionary journey—whether you are in the MTC, in your first mission, or simply trying to deepen your understanding at home—don't forget to read. I recommend diving back into the teachings of Avraham Gileadi, particularly those found in the Iron Rod collection, which helps anchor us back to the foundational principles of discipleship.

Let's commit to taking the temple with us. Let's make sure our hearts are as clean and prepared as the covenants we make.

—Your Brother,

A Fellow Disciple